Historic baths bid for TV revamp

PEOPLE are being urged to pick up the phone to help a local landmark win a TV competition to be restored to its former glory. Longsight's Victoria Baths goes head to head with two north west buildings on Friday in a phone poll for the right to be restored.

PEOPLE are being urged to pick up the phone to help a local landmark win a TV competition to be restored to its former glory.

Longsight's historic Victoria Baths will be thrust into the national spotlight on Friday when it goes head to head with two north west buildings in a phone poll for the right to be restored.

In the first episode of BBC2's Restoration, film star Richard E Grant will make the case for why the baths, known as Manchester's Water Palace, should win the regional heat.

But he will face tough competition with celebrity Loyd Grossman championing Bank Hall, at Bretherton, and former Tatton MP and broadcaster Martin Bell backing Brackenhill Tower, near Carlisle.

Supporters have been busy gathering support for the baths. At the weekend 630 visitors were welcomed to the monthly open day, the biggest turnout for years.

Tony Bowyer, chair of the Victoria Baths Trust, said: "The visitors were double what we normally have. We told people who came to vote and vote often and tell as many people as possible to vote.

"People left with the message that a vote for the baths is a vote for Manchester, because the baths are the only representatives from the area."

Colin Roper, 51, from Droylsden, who used to live in a flat above the baths when he was a supervisor there, said: "It brought back mixed memories. It is extremely important - we have lost too many of these buildings in Manchester."

Mr Bowyer and other members of the trust have worked hard to secure the building's future since it closed in 1993.

The estimated £3m prize money from the show would be used to revamp the pool's Turkish baths.

It is estimated that £15m is needed to return all of Victoria Baths to its former glory.

In the days before and after each programme viewers vote to decide which building wins the heat and goes forward to the live final. In the final the public vote will determine which building most merits restoration.

The number for the vote line, which is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, is 09010 777 777 and each call is 30p.